'take a breath' explores both the thrill and a smattering of the science associated with breath-hold diving, but it is definitely not a ‘How-To’ guide. Indeed, some of the exploits described could be viewed as risky bordering on downright stupid, so 'How-Not-To' is a more accurate description.

The incredible adventures of a pioneer freediver in Sri Lanka in the early 50's. Setting himself up as an underwater guide, he attracted the rich and famous seeking a new interest. They invited him to their homes where the led a glamorous life style he hardly knew existed. Hans Hass and Jaques Cousteau both offered him employment. Later he made a fortune as a commercial diver in Singapore.

All in all, snook demonstrate a great comeback for an iconic species with some protection in place, the positive effect of spillover from protection as a fishery management technique, and the importance of protecting diverse habitats to ensure the transition of juveniles to the adult population.

One of the most popular charismatic mega fauna in our waters is the spotted eagle ray. Kim Bassos-Hull, from Mote Marine Laboratory, has been collecting data in the Florida Keys to enhance and expand her studies, but as of today, no critical habitats for feeding, mating and pupping have been found. Kim and the Mote crew have captured, documented and tagged over 300 rays in the last 4 years.

I want to spend more time watching redlip blennies. They mate beginning at first light in two week cycles that start ten days before the full moon. The mating sessions last about three hours each morning, and males generally have female visitors every day. Sometimes the same females come back, but usually there are different mixes among males and females.

How aggressive are damselfish, pound for pound? As it turns out, divers invading their space is not the only thing damselfish exhibit aggression over. I don’t blame them for defending their territory when I’m trying to get a shot. That’s common, and can be comical. The species in our waters vary in size, color and behavior. There is an excellent, detailed chapter on all the damselfish species.

Spadefish are the only species of its family that reside in the Western Atlantic. In the Pacific there are at least six species, where they are commonly known as batfish. While they are common in the Keys, in other parts of the Caribbean they are not as prevalent. I’ve seen schools numbering in the hundreds from Molasses up to Carysfort. One of the largest schools I’ve seen was on Deep French.

Wrasses are a large and diverse family, and seem to be everywhere. They are quick and colorful. Perhaps some of the most vibrant colors on our reefs belong to the family of wrasses. Worldwide there are over five hundred species of wrasse. Here we have about twenty. Most species are carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans.

Classified as a “nuclear” species, goatfish truly play a leadership role. Other species are attracted to the substratum-disturbing foraging. And when several goatfish are involved in the fray, the groupies increase in number and diversity. Goatfish groups attract up to six follower species. While many of the follower species eat the same food, the goatfish don’t seem to mind.

Puffers are a group of fish I like to shoot, especially the big ones. They have a shy, jovial personality. At least they always look like they are smiling. Puffers are related to boxfish, and are also toxic, but in a different way. I found references to two toxins, tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX), which are nerve agents. They are chemically distinct, but act on the nervous system similarly.

As I stood on the boat with my morning coffee and watched the people pile in the boats and head out to the whale sharks, my immediate reaction was “we are in a whale shark theme park”. I believe it’s become more about the peso than the whale shark. I can’t blame them for developing the tourism business, but is there a balance that can be reached? This has spawned a great deal of controversy.

While the majority of observations during the day are while eels are resting or on a cleaning station, a few times I have seen an eel coupled with a grouper. The first time I saw it was on the Winch Hole. A graysby came to a stop on a pile of rubble, and a goldentail came out from its lair. At first they just sort of looked at each other, then came cheek to cheek, touched, and took off together.

Hogfish got their name because they root around the sea floor, like a hog roots around the barnyard. I have been following the size limit discussions for the last several years, and to me the essential point is this: if we don’t increase the size limit and let them grow another year or two, the chances of maintaining a sustainable fishery may be a huge issue in the future.

The variability of salinity levels in Florida Bay is important to the food chain. What does this have to do with glass minnows? Well, everything. He examined the relationship between mesozooplankton, salinity and bay anchovies. The ecological implications center on the the relationship between salinity, mesozooplankton and bay anchovies. Future changes in salinity could have significant effects.

Orange cup coral is an invasive species. So far it has specialized on artificial reefs, dock pilings and oil rigs. On vertical surfaces, water movement, distance above the sea floor and less sedimentation than horizontal surfaces favor orange cup coral growth. Since most of our local reef structure does not have significant vertical wall structure, artificial reefs will be prime targets.

Trumpet fish are part of the Syngnathiformes family. Don’t fret, I can’t pronounce it either. It’s actually quite a large group. Cousins include seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, shrimpfish, and sea moths. Bony exteriors and small tube-like mouths are characteristics of syngnathids. Like seahorses, trumpetfish males carry the eggs. The scientific name actually translates as “flute mouth”.

Filefish have a protruding mouth with some very sharp teeth, similar to a triggerfish. They have narrow, compressed bodies with rough spiny scales and a front dorsal fin that can be raised or lowered. When the fin is raised, it resembles a file, which some reference sources say is the inspiration for the name. Filefish are another group of highly entertaining critters on the reef.

When I want a chuckle, I look for a fish in a box. Not a cardboard box of fish like you get in a bait shop, but a body box that fits perfectly and is color matched to its occupant. I’m referring to a group of animals called boxfish. They look like little robots scooting around the reef in search of a new power source. The Energizer bunny with fins and armor - and in some cases, horns.

Many reasons are given for schooling activity. Schooling occurs in up to eighty percent of species at some point in their life. Protection from predators, breeding and searching for food are top reasons cited for schooling behavior. There is also an advantage in riding the vortices created by the swimming motion of the fishes themselves - like a race car drafting behind the car in front of him.

There’s one thing I can guarantee I’ll see on every dive. Some sort of butterflyfish will be wherever I’m going. The REEF fish identification book has six species listed in the Caribbean. I have five of them in my image inventory, and most likely will never see the other one. In the Pacific there are well over 100 species.